USPS Packaging Instruction 6G

Nonregulated Infectious Materials

Nonregulated materials as defined in 346.325 are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials but must be properly packaged when presented for mailing. Nonregulated materials include biological product, blood collected for the purpose of blood transfusion, blood products and blood components collected for the purpose of transfusion, dried blood spots, forensic material not expected of containing a Category A or Category B infectious substance and transported on behalf of a government agency. For a complete description of nonregulated materials, refer to 346.325.

Proper Shipping Name and ID Number

• Not applicable (not regulated under 49 CFR as a hazardous material in domestic commerce).

Mailability

• International Mail: Nonregulated materials identified in 346.325 are mailable but must be properly packaged as indicated in 346.326 when presented for mailing.
• Domestic Mail: Permitted via air or surface transportation when packaging requirements are met.

Required Packaging

Liquid Patient Specimens and Biological Products

Exceeding 50 ml

• Material must be packaged in a securely sealed primary receptacle. A single primary receptacle must not contain more than 500 ml of specimen. Two or more primary receptacles whose combined volume does not exceed 500 ml may be enclosed in a single secondary packaging. The secondary packaging must be securely and snugly enclosed in a fiberboard box or container of equivalent strength that serves as the outer packaging.

Not Exceeding 50 ml

• A patient specimen or biological product consisting of 50 ml or less per mailpiece must be packaged in a securely sealed primary receptacle. Two or more primary receptacles whose combined volume does not exceed 50 ml may be enclosed within a single mailpiece. The secondary packaging can also serve as the outer packaging. In that case, the biohazard symbol must appear on the inner packaging or on the primary receptacle.

Absorbent and Cushioning Material

• Sufficient absorbent material and cushioning material to withstand shock and pressure changes must surround the primary receptacle(s), or be otherwise configured to take up the entire liquid contents in case of leakage.

Secondary Packaging

• The secondary packaging must be securely sealed, and it may serve as the outer packaging if it has sufficient strength to withstand ordinary postal processing.
• The primary receptacle(s) and the absorbent cushioning must be enclosed in a secondary packaging with a leakproof barrier that can prevent failure of the secondary packaging if the primary receptacle(s) should leak during transport.
• The secondary packaging must be marked with the international biohazard symbol shown in Exhibit 346.321, except when the secondary packaging also serves as the outer packaging. In that case, the biohazard symbol must appear on the inner packaging or on the primary receptacle.

Outer Packaging

• A strong outer packaging that is capable of firmly and securely holding the primary receptacle(s) and cushioning material is required. Refer to 339.4.
• A fiberboard box or container of equivalent strength that serves as the outer packaging.
• When the secondary packaging also serves as the outer packaging, the biohazard symbol must appear on the inner packaging or on the primary receptacle.

Solid or Dry Specimen

Primary Receptacle

• The primary receptacle (and cushioning material, if required) must be enclosed in a secondary packaging.

Secondary Packaging

• The secondary packaging must be sift-proof to contain the contents should the primary receptacle(s) leak.
• The secondary packaging must be marked with the international biohazard symbol (refer to Exhibit 346.321).

Outer Packaging

• A strong outer packaging that is capable of firmly and securely holding the primary receptacle(s) and cushioning material is required. Refer to 339.4.
• The secondary packaging may serve as the outer packaging if it has sufficient strength to withstand ordinary postal processing.

Marking

Labels and markings must be placed on the address side of the mailpiece unless specified differently in 221.1 and 325.1.

• No other identifying marks are allowed on the outside of the box.

Note: Shipping documentation (refer to 326) is not required for clinical specimens that do not contain infectious substances.